The Phoenix Suns rookie 7-footer had what he called his “worst game" ever in Wednesday night's 114-97 loss to Utah before only the sixth sellout crowd of the season of 18,055 at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“Overall, I give myself an F-minus,” he said. “This was a bad game. I definitely put this loss on me. I just wasn't locked in. I don't know what's happening. The shots I took were pretty bad. This is definitely the worst game I've ever played. The worst by far."

Ayton scored a career-low two points on 1-of-9 shooting in 33 minutes. He did grab nine rebounds, but Utah center Rudy Gobert got the better of the matchup on multiple levels.

Gobert went for 18 points and 20 rebounds with seven coming on the offensive glass as Utah outrebounded Phoenix 53-35 in the 17-point win.

“He was all over the place,” Ayton said. “I’m not going to lie. He’s playoff Rudy right now. He’s super athletic. I didn’t know Rudy Gobert was that athletic. He was all over the glass. He just looked super healthy. It’s like, he’s got the green light. OK. Playoff time. Let’s go. That’s the typical super-vet, All-Star dude right there to me. Defensive Player of the Year. He just looked amped up. Just set the tone for this team. They got the job done.”

So Utah came into the game with that ugly event hanging over its head and fighting for its playoff life. The Jazz left Phoenix (16-53) with a convincing victory over a team that was coming off its biggest win of the season Sunday at defending NBA champion Golden State.

Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 26 points to lead five players in double figures for the Jazz.

“The better team won the game,” said Igor Kokoskov, who was a former assistant at Utah under Quin Snyder before becoming head coach of the Suns.

“When it comes to the discipline, when it comes to the execution, they were very crisp when it comes to crunch time, which our offense, our defense, when it comes to discipline, wasn’t there.”

Joe Ingles broke a 75-75 tie late in the third quarter with a corner 3 to begin a 12-4 run to take an 89-79 lead with eight minutes, 41 seconds left in the game.

“They just started off hot,” said Suns guard Devin Booker, who scored a game-high 27 points.

The irony of the run was Ayton scored his only points during that stretch on a short jump hook. He was 0-for-5 in the first three quarters.

“I wouldn’t buy into his numbers, but we have to find a way to use him more,” Kokoskov said. “That’s on everybody including me.”

Ayton started the game rushing and taking unusual shots to begin what ended up being a horrid night for the No. 1 overall pick.

“I’m tired,” said Ayton with his head hanging down in the locker room after the game. “I’m tired. Today was kind of off for me. I don’t know. I was rushing all my shots. I just felt like I had to speed up or I felt like I was a step behind. The shots I was taking, I normally don’t take shots like that. I was trying to shoot floaters and stuff.”

With Gobert, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, parked in the paint underneath the basket, Ayton, off a behind-the-back pass from Tyler Johnson, didn’t take the jumper or go to the rim.

“He missed a couple in the first quarter and the rhythm wasn’t there,” Kokosokv said.

It just got worse from there for Ayton.

“The second shot, I tried to really fade away to get it over Gobert,” he said. “It was just all bad. Then it was one shot, a jump shot I thought this is definitely going in. This is my shot and it clanked off the rim.”

And even worse.

“So after I saw the first three shots that I take normally didn’t go?” Ayton continued. “I don’t want to say I shut down automatically, but it was one of those things I started moping every time I saw a miss and usually I don’t do that. I just shoot the ball. Next play. Make or miss, but today, I don’t know why I was so worried about the shots.”

Defensively, Utah put Ayton in pick-and-roll situations that led to dunks for Gobert and Derrick Favors as the Jazz scored 58 points in the paint. Ayton looked out of place on the plays, but Kokoskov said he wouldn’t put the sole blame on the rookie.

“Most of the time, he’s involved as the designator,” Kokoskov said. “He’s guarding the five-man. Usually in the NBA, that’s the screener, but it’s a collective responsibility when it comes to the physicality on the ball and understanding the coverage. I wouldn’t put it on Deandre. He’s our anchor and main guy when it comes to the defense in pick-and-roll coverage, but it’s a collective responsibility on everybody.”

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov against the Utah Jazz in the second half on Mar. 13, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic)

As for the fatigue factor, Ayton has joked about the “rookie wall,” saying he didn’t think it existed. Whether he finally hit it Wednesday night or not remains a mystery as Phoenix is taking Thursday off before beginning a two-game road trip Friday at Houston and ending it Saturday at New Orleans.

Photos: Suns season

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Mar 16, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov reacts to a play against New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Stephen Lew, Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Kenrich Williams (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Tyler Kaufman, AP

Houston Rockets' Kenneth Faried (35) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball as Phoenix Suns' Troy Daniels (30) avoids him during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) drives toward the basket as Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) goes up for a shot as Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' Clint Capela (15) goes up for a shot as Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) and Dragan Bender defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' Clint Capela (15) and Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker reach for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) leaps to catch a pass as Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) and PJ Tucker (17) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 108-102. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' Eric Gordon (10) goes up for a shot as Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) tries to steal the ball from Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 15, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) David J. Phillip, AP

Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) talk during a time out against the Utah Jazz in the second half on Mar. 13, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gestures after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov yells toward his bench during the first half of his team's NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson, right, tries to control the ball on the floor as he is guarded by Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, left, reacts to an official's call next to Klay Thompson during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton smiles during the second half of his team's NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, tries to hold onto the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures toward officials during the second half of his team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jeff Chiu, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being called for traveling against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half on Mar. 2, 2019, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, is fouled by Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox, left, as he drives to the basket against during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Rich Pedroncelli, AP

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) goes up for a shot against Phoenix Suns forward Richaun Holmes (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Phoenix. The Hawks defeated the Suns 118-112. Ross D. Franklin, AP

Jan 29, 2019: San Antonio Spurs small forward Rudy Gay (facing camera) celebrates with teammates after scoring at the buzzer during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at AT&T Center. Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports

Jan 29, 2019: San Antonio Spurs small forward Rudy Gay (22) reacts after making the game-winning basket at the buzzer during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at AT&T Center. Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov, right, talks with Suns guard Jamal Crawford during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) Darren Abate, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker waits to shoot a free throw against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) David Zalubowski, AP

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender, left, battles for control of the ball with Denver Nuggets forward Mason Plumlee in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) David Zalubowski, AP

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) David Zalubowski, AP